Cycling is one of the most pleasurable forms of exercise.
It is a low-impact aerobic exercise that is good for your body and also provides an inexpensive way of getting from place to place, seeing interesting things, and getting plenty of fresh air.
Though most of us learn to ride a bike when we are small children, bike riding is that it is not without risk. There were almost 900 cyclists killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2018, and needless to say, when there’s a collision between an automobile or truck and a cyclist, it’s the cyclist who is going to sustain physical injuries.
If you are a bike rider, there are several things you can do to protect yourself from being in a serious bicycle accident. The most important have to do with following the rules of the road and ensuring that you are highly visible to motorists, but others focus on making sure that you are properly outfitted and equipped. Review all of them to make sure that you and yours are as safe as possible.
- Wear a helmet while cycling, whether in a neighborhood, a park or on a heavily trafficked roadway. Make sure that the helmet fits properly.
- Make sure that your bicycle is the right size, that your tires are properly inflated, and your brakes are in good working condition.
- Wear clothing that is reflective and easily seen, whether in the day or when it’s dark out.
- Keep both hands on your handlebars and make sure that you are paying attention to what is happening around you, including keeping an eye out for potholes, gravel, storm drains, railroad tracks, debris and hazards.
- Use hand signals appropriately.
- Avoid riding at night, but if you must, make sure that your bike is properly equipped with reflective equipment in the front and rear.
- Ride with traffic and on the right side of the road, in the bike lane or on the shoulder.
- Obey all traffic laws. You are responsible for following the same rules that motorized vehicles are.
- Ride in a way that is predictable. Do not weave in and out of traffic or enter traffic from between parked vehicles.
Most important of all, make sure that you are mindful of the vehicles around you. Whether you are riding past a row of parked cars where a driver might suddenly open a door in front of your, or riding into an intersection where drivers don’t pay attention to cyclists, you are at risk of injury if you’re not paying attention. You should always assume that the motorists around you do not see you, even though it is their responsibility to make sure that they do.
We hope that you enjoy riding your bike and are able to do so without injury.
If you do sustain a serious injury in a bicycle accident, contact us to learn about your rights.